We’re excited to let you know that this month we have been featured in Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine as a part of their Awards 2015 shortlist. The list features a selection of outstanding architecture from throughout the UK, including a subtle hidden home in the heart of London, a converted Grade II Listed Norfolk barn, and a Passivhaus in rural Somerset. Each of the chosen properties were chosen for their innovation, their unique use of materials and their focus on sustainability.

We were chosen for our Well House project, during which we completely transformed and renovated an Edwardian terraced home in London, bringing it up to date for modern use and turning it into a contemporary home. We completely reconfigured the layout of the ground floor to create a sense of light and space, with open plan rooms flowing into each other. We also added a side and rear extension and a new basement level to give the residents more living space, as well as a full width ground floor extension with full-length sliding glass doors which can be fully opened, creating a union between the garden and the interior.

The key to the success of this project was the use of light. There is a central void which extends from the basement to the roof and unites the three storeys, giving an open and airy feeling between them. Combined with extensive use of glass, this means that every level of the property is bathed in natural light and there is a real sense of unity with the outdoor environment.

Of course, we also wanted to retain elements of the Edwardian building’s original character. We achieved this by restoring many of the original features in the bedrooms and bathrooms, while installing new bespoke fixtures and fittings to create a unique balance of the traditional and the modern. Renovating a historic property is possibly one of the biggest challenges facing architects in London, but we were proud of the results we achieved in the project and look forward to seeing the outcome of these awards.